Adjustable curtain rod

ABSTRACT

An adjustable curtain rod ( 10 ) which has a first rod ( 12 A) having a threaded first rod shaft ( 12 AA) longitudinally positioned therein. The first rod ( 12 A) may optionally further have a first end cap ( 14 A) securely positioned at a distal end thereof. The first rod ( 12 A), preferably further has a first rod plate ( 12 AB) securely and perpendicularly positioned inside the first rod ( 12 A). The first rod plate ( 12 AB) having the first rod shaft ( 12 AA) securely affixed at an inner distal end thereto extending outwardly therefrom. A second rod ( 12 B) has a threaded second rod cylinder ( 12 BA) therethrough having a complimentary configuration to the threaded first rod shaft ( 12 AA). The first rod ( 12 A) having a slightly larger diameter then the second rod ( 12 B) telescoping therein. A user positions the adjustable curtain rod ( 10 ) in a shower or tub stall and rotates the first rod ( 12 A) and second rod ( 12 B) in opposite directions thus exerting extreme pressure on the opposite walls, thus, securely holding the adjustable curtain rod ( 10 ) in place during use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an adjustable curtain rod. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to an adjustable curtain rodhaving a threaded adjustment means.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] Numerous innovations for an adjustable curtain rod have beenprovided in the prior art that are described as follows. Even thoughthese innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposesto which they address, they differ from the present invention ashereinafter contrasted.

[0005] In U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,287, invented by, Wise, titled, Showercurtain rod, an improved shower curtain rod. It is adapted for use witha enclosure defined by left and right end walls, and a back splash walldefining a bath tub enclosure above a bath tub. The bath tub is oval orelliptical and fits in an oval and elliptical hole in a horizontal deck.The shower curtain rod of the present disclosure has ends connected witha curving middle portion which ends are anchored at end fittings. Thereis, between the two ends, a curving portion which conforms with an ovalor elliptical bath tub shape.

[0006] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,662,297, invented by, Christensen, et al.,titled, Adjustable shower curtain rod, a shower curtain support rodassembly which mounts between opposing bathtub stall walls which, wheninstalled, allows a shower curtain to be slidably movable in an inwardand outward direction with respect to the longitudinal edge of thebathtub, thereby creating more space for a shower taker. When a showeris not in progress, the shower curtain can be slid inward therebycreating more space in the remaining bathroom area.

[0007] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,870, invented by, Hertel, titled, Showercurtain rod attachment, a one-piece, multi-functional gripping connectoris disclosed, to be used as a shower curtain rod attachment inconjunction with a standard shower curtain and curtain rod assembly, toallow the end or ends of the curtain to be turned inward, therebypreventing water from spraying out of the shower enclosure. The solepoint of support for the attachment is its connection to the showercurtain rod. The invention is comprised of a single sheet of strong,flexible, elastic material, such as PETG thermoplastic, which is formedinto an open-sided, open-ended, tubular shape having rounded edges, andwhich is also notched and bent 90-degrees at the mid-point to form anelbow configuration. Installation is by hand, without use of tools, andwill not damage existing surfaces. Removal of the shower curtain rod isnot required. Alternate embodiments are also disclosed, which provideillustrations of the invention's multi-functional aspects.

[0008] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,419, invented by, Zinger, titled, Showercurtain rod assembly, a Shower Curtain Rod Assembly includes astem-to-stem, double-Y shaped shower curtain rod with an integralsplit-track extending along almost the entire length of its bottomsurface, shower curtain clips and screw-type endcaps. The shower curtainrod is suspended between two side walls of a shower or bathtub enclosureby unscrewing the endcaps. Rubber or plastic endcap pads prevent theshower curtain rod from slipping and protect the side walls from damagefrom preasure mounting. Shower curtain clips include an elongated base,a stem and ring-type clamps for suspending shower curtain(s) from theshower curtain rod. The base can thereby be inserted into thesplit-track and rotatingly secured. Conventional shower curtain(s) canbe secured using the ring-type clamps. This allows the shower curtain tobe moved to optimal positions for redirecting water into a shower orbathtub basin, to enhance the bathroom decor when the shower is not inuse and to move the shower curtain out of the way while the basin isbeing cleaned.

[0009] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,216,766, invented by, Lang, titled, Showercurtain rod attachment, a shower curtain rod attachment which preventswater from spraying or splashing out of a shower enclosure whileshowering. The shower curtain rod attachment supports the leading edgeof the shower curtain such that the shower curtain is parallel to thefront surface of the shower enclosure. The arm of the shower curtain rodattachment attaches to the front of the shower enclosure with a hook, aclip, a suction cup, or other suitable device when the shower is in use.After showering, the arm is detached from the shower enclosure wall andallowed to rotate downward. The shower curtain can then be slid alongthe curtain rod to open the shower enclosure. A slit in the tube of theshower curtain rod attachment allows the device to be installed over anexisting curtain rod without the need of removing the curtain rod. Notools or special skills are needed.

[0010] In U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,759, invented by, Poore, titled, Showercurtain rod unit, a dual curtain rod unit for installation betweenopposite walls of a shower stall, the unit having an outer rod, asubstantially bow-shaped inner rod of uninterrupted, substantiallysmooth outer surface construction over its entire functional length, akeying shaft on each end portion of the inner rod, a pair of end platesadapted for attachment to opposite walls of a shower stall, a firstsocket in a forward portion of each of the end plates for receiving andsupporting the ends of the outer rod, and a keying socket in a rearwardportion of each of the end plates for receiving and supporting thekeying shafts of the inner rod in a mating, sliding fit, non-rotativemanner with the bow of the inner rod facing toward the outer rod, thekeying sockets being the only points of attachment of the inner rod,thus allowing for the uninterrupted surface thereof along its entirefunctional length for permitting slide hangers mounted thereon to slidewithout significant resistance.

[0011] In U.S. Pat. No. 4,158,896, invented by, Farkas, titled,Four-sided shower curtain rod frame assembly, a rectangular frame ofshower curtain bars with shower curtains for a bathtub in a room awayfrom or adjacent one or more walls. This rectangular frame comprises twolonger conformable horizontal bars above the longer sides of the bathtubat about the height of the showerhead, which longer bars are fastened attheir ends to two parallel vertical support means, such as walls and/orposts, beyond the opposite ends of the bathtub; and two parallel shortertelescopic horizontal bars above the ends of the bathtub and attachedbetween the two longer parallel bars. At least the ends of the twoshorter parallel bars have reduced cross-sections and are resilientlyurged into facing holes in the facing sides of the longer bars. At leastthe longer bars or the posts, or both, are telescopic with drilledradial aligned holes through their telescoping sections for insertion ofthe ends of reduced cross-section of the orthogonal telescoping bars forseating and supporting these orthogonal bars, as well as for locking theseating bars and/or posts into their fixed length positions. Thevertical supporting means include flanged sockets for the ends of thelonger bars and/or for the ends of the vertical telescopic posts, whichflanged sockets are anchored, such as by screws, to the walls, and/orfloor and ceiling. Curtain means of horizontal bars are hung on therectangular frame to completely surround the inside edges of the bathtubwith adjacent vertical edges of the curtains overlapping each other.

[0012] In U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,345, invented by, Hehl, et al., titled,Shower curtain rod assembly, a curtain rod assembly for a shower curtaincomprises at least two rail sections of identical profile and eachformed with an upwardly open longitudinally extending channel, adownwardly open longitudinally extending channel, and between thesechannels with an upwardly, downwardly, and laterally closedlongitudinally extending passage. A coupling element has one half snuglylongitudinally engaged in one of the ends of one of the passages andanother half snugly longitudinally engaged in one of the ends of theother of the passages so as longitudinally to join these two sections. Aplurality of shower-curtain hooks can slide along the downwardly openchannel and a ceiling unit has a headpiece slidable along the upwardlyopen channel and an upwardly extending rod that is secured to theceiling. Two wall mounting members are each secured to a wall and have aportion engaged snugly longitudinally in the other end of the passage ofa respective rail. A valance strip of bendable material is engaged overthe entire front side of both of the sections with its bent-over upperlip engaging over the upper edges of the rail sections and itsbent-under lower lip engaging under the lower edges of these rails so ascompletely to cover them.

[0013] In U.S. Patent, D415,014, invented by, Bruton, titled, Showercurtain rod and in U.S. Patent, D379,297, invented by, Shires, titled,Shower curtain rod, an ornamental design as shown.

[0014] The above patented inventions differ from the present inventionbecause they fail to describe or claim at least one combination of thefollowing features depicted in the present invention: threaded first rodshaft and complimentary threaded second rod cylinder.

[0015] Numerous innovations for an adjustable curtain rod have beenprovided in the prior art that are adapted to be used. Even though theseinnovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes towhich they address, they would not be suitable for the purposes of thepresent invention as heretofore described.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The present invention relates to an adjustable curtain rod. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to an adjustable curtain rodhaving a threaded adjustment means.

[0017] The types of problems encountered in the prior art are adjustablecurtain rods do not exert enough outward pressure on the opposite wallsand often fall down during use.

[0018] In the prior art, unsuccessful attempts to solve this problemwere attempted namely: spring loaded telescoping rods. However, theproblem was solved by the present invention because the internalthreaded adjustment means allows a user to exert extreme pressure on theopposite walls, thus, holding the adjustable curtain rod in place duringuse.

[0019] Innovations within the prior art are rapidly being exploited inthe field of home improvement.

[0020] The present invention solved a long felt need for an adjustablecurtain rod that is capable of exerting extreme pressure at oppositedistal ends.

[0021] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providean adjustable curtain rod having a first rod with a threaded first rodshaft therein and a second rod having a second rod cylindertherethrough.

[0022] More particularly, it is an object of the present invention toprovide the first rod having a first rod plate securely affixed therein.

[0023] In keeping with these objects, and with others which will becomeapparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides,briefly stated, in the adjustable curtain rod having a first end cap andsecond end cap securely positioned at opposite distal ends thereof.

[0024] The novel features which are considered characteristic for theinvention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself,however, both as to its construction and its method of operation,together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be bestunderstood from the following description of the specific embodimentswhen read and understood in connection with the accompanying drawings.

List of Reference Numerals Utilized in the Drawings

[0025]10—adjustable curtain rod (10)

[0026]12A—first rod (12A)

[0027]12AA—first rod shaft (12AA)

[0028]12AB—first rod plate (12AB)

[0029]12B—second rod (12B)

[0030]12BA—second rod cylinder (12BA)

[0031]14A—first end cap (14A)

[0032]14B—second end cap (14B)

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an adjustable curtain rod(10).

[0034]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of an adjustable curtain rod (10)along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0035] Referring to FIG. 1 which is a top perspective view of anadjustable curtain rod (10) and FIG. 2 which is a cross sectional viewof an adjustable curtain rod (10) along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. Theadjustable curtain rod (10) comprises a first rod (12A) comprising athreaded first rod shaft (12AA) longitudinally positioned therein. Thefirst rod (12A) further comprises a first end cap (14A) securelypositioned at a distal end thereof. The first rod (12A) furthercomprises a first rod plate (12AB) securely and perpendicularlypositioned inside the first rod (12A). The first rod plate (12AB) havingthe first rod shaft (12AA) securely affixed at an inner distal endthereto extending outwardly therefrom.

[0036] The adjustable curtain rod (10) further comprises a second rod(12B) comprising a threaded second rod cylinder (12BA) therethroughhaving a complimentary configuration to the threaded first rod shaft(12AA). The first rod (12A) having a slightly larger diameter then thesecond rod (12B) telescoping therein. The second rod (12B) furthercomprises a second end cap (14B) securely positioned at a distal endthereof. The first end cap (14A) and second end cap (14B) function todisperse the outward pressure exerted from the adjustable curtain rodover a larger area which aids in the holding power.

[0037] The first rod (12A), first rod shaft (12AA) and the second rod(12B) are preferably manufactured from a longitudinally stiff material.The longitudinally stiff material is selected from a group consisting ofmetal, metal alloy, plastic, plastic composite, fiberglass, fiberglasscomposite, epoxy, epoxy composite, wood, and wood composite.

[0038] A user positions the adjustable curtain rod (10) in a shower ortub stall and rotates the first rod (12A) and second rod (12B) inopposite directions thus exerting extreme pressure on the oppositewalls, thus, securely holding the adjustable curtain rod (10) in placeduring use.

[0039] It will be understood that each of the elements described above,or two or more together, may also find a useful application in othertypes of constructions differing from the type described above.

[0040] While the invention has been illustrated and described asembodied in an adjustable curtain rod, it is not intended to be limitedto the details shown, since it will be understood that variousomissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms anddetails of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made bythose skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit ofthe present invention.

[0041] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal thegist of the present invention that others can, by applying currentknowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omittingfeatures that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constituteessential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of thisinvention.

[0042] What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by LettersPatent is set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An adjustable curtain rod (10) comprising: A) afirst rod (12A) comprising a threaded first rod shaft (12AA)longitudinally positioned therein; and B) a second rod (12B) acomprising a threaded second rod cylinder (12BA) therethrough having acomplimentary configuration to the threaded first rod shaft (12AA), thefirst rod (12A) having a slightly larger diameter then the second rod(12B) telescoping therein.
 2. The adjustable curtain rod (10) asdescribed in claim 1, wherein the first rod (12A) further comprises afirst end cap (14A) securely positioned at a distal end thereof.
 3. Theadjustable curtain rod (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the secondrod (12B) further comprises a second end cap (14B) securely positionedat a distal end thereof.
 4. The adjustable curtain rod (10) as describedin claim 1, wherein the first rod (12A), first rod shaft (12AA) and thesecond rod (12B) are manufactured from a longitudinally stiff material.5. The adjustable curtain rod (10) as described in claim 4, wherein thelongitudinally stiff material is selected from a group consisting ofmetal, metal alloy, plastic, plastic composite, fiberglass, fiberglasscomposite, epoxy, epoxy composite, wood, and wood composite.
 6. Theadjustable curtain rod (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the firstrod (12A) further comprises a first rod plate (12AB) securely andperpendicularly positioned inside the first rod (12A), the first rodplate (12AB) having the first rod shaft (12AA) securely affixed at aninner distal end thereto extending outwardly therefrom.
 7. Theadjustable curtain rod (10) as described in claim 1, wherein the firstend cap (14A) and second end cap (14B) are manufactured from a pliablematerial.
 8. The adjustable curtain rod (10) as described in claim 7,wherein the pliable material is selected from a group consisting ofrubber, rubber composite, plastic and plastic composite.
 9. Theadjustable curtain rod (10) as described in claim 8, wherein the pliablematerial is lightweight.
 10. The adjustable curtain rod (10) asdescribed in claim 1, wherein the first end cap (14A) and second end cap(14B) are light rubber cups.